Download and install the Meta Horizon OS mobile app for your phone in order to set up your headset. You can this directly to your mobile device using either Google Play⁠ or the Apple Store⁠.

Note: The mobile app is the same for all Meta Horizon OS headsets, including all Meta Quest series headsets and the Rift S.

Download the Meta Horizon Link app from the Get Started in VR⁠ page. For installation instructions and more information, see Using Link for App Development.

Set up your headset following the instructions for the device your app is targeting:

For Meta Quest 3, follow the headset setup instructions at Setting Up Your Meta Quest⁠.

For other headsets, including the Rift S, follow the setup instructions for your specific headset.

Once you have set up your headset, sign in to your verified developer account on both the headset and mobile app.

Configure your headset for deployment and debugging

Once you have completed the headset’s initial setup and joined a team, you are ready to configure your hardware to allow you to deploy and debug your first Meta Quest app.

This entails three steps:

Enable developer mode for your headset.

Set Up Meta Quest Developer Hub.

Enable apps from unknown sources.

Enable developer mode

Before creating an app with your headset, you must enable developer mode.

Follow these steps to enable developer mode for your headset:

On your mobile device, open the Meta Horizon app.

In the app, tap the headset icon in the toolbar.

Your paired headset should appear at the top of the screen. Tap the headset item, which displays the model and status of your paired headset.

Tap Headset Settings beneath the image of your headset.

Tap Developer Mode.

Toggle Developer Mode to the on position.

The following video shows enabling developer mode on the Meta Horizon app.

Video: Toggle developer mode on in the Meta Horizon app.

Use a USB-C data cable to connect the headset to your computer.

Put on the headset.

In the headset, open the Quick Control menu item.

Select Open Settings, displayed as a gear icon. Then, open the Developer tab and toggle MTP Notification on.

When asked to allow USB debugging, select Always allow from this computer.

Important

Developer Mode is intended for development tasks such as running, debugging and testing applications. Engaging in other activities may result in account limitations, suspension, or termination. For more information, see Content Guidelines.

Connect your headset to the Meta Quest Developer Hub

The Meta Quest Developer Hub (MQDH) is a standalone companion development tool that simplifies integrating the headset into your development workflow. Meta recommends using this while developing your app in Unreal Engine for Meta Horizon OS. For installation instructions, see MQDH Set Up.

Enable apps from unknown sources

There are two main reasons where you might need to enable apps from unknown sources: running content from developers that isn’t available in the Meta Horizon Store, and running applications that are under development.

Note: Meta hasn’t reviewed this content for security, comfort, content, or health and safety.

Although Meta doesn’t review this content, you can run it on your headset if developers permit it.This is necessary to run applications under development, since they are not yet available on the Meta Horizon Store.

To enable your system to run applications from unknown sources:

Open the Link app on your PC.

Select Settings in the left menu, and then select the General tab.

Turn on Unknown Sources to allow content from unknown sources.

The first time you run an application that was not downloaded from the Store, you need to launch it directly. After running an application from an unknown source once, it will appear in the Library section of your Home screen. You can then launch the app normally from there, provided Unknown Sources remains enabled.

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